News

Shokotan Goes to Hong Kong, Halko Goes to UK in Summer

Otaku personality/singer/actress Shoko "Shokotan" Nakagawa will perform at the Ani-com convention in Hong Kong during an August 1 stage concert. Nakagawa debuted as the grand prize winner of the Popolo Girl Audition in 2001, but her popularity among otaku took off when she launched her frequently updated blog in 2004. Sony Music said her blog received a total of 1 billion hits as of early 2008. She sang theme songs for the Eyeshield 21, Hakaba Kitarō, Yoshimune, and the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann television series and films. The Gurren Lagann television theme, "Sorairo Days," debuted at #3 on Japan's Oricon weekly singles chart. She also voiced roles in Eyeshield 21, Hakaba Kitarō, and the Pokémon movies.

Voice actresss/singer Halko Momoi will perform at the Aya Revolution event in Warwick Arts Center in Warwickshire, England during the August 14-16 weekend. Momoi sang and co-wrote the Under17 duo's theme songs for such anime as Genshiken and DearS. She has since performed solo and appeared on the soundtrack for D.C. ~Da Capo~ and School Days. She has also voiced main characters in Nurse Witch Komugi, Ai Yori Aoshi, Paranoia Agent, Seto no Hanayome, and the ongoing Yurumates anime. She became famous through her online journal and street performances at Tokyo's Akihabara otaku shopping district.

Paul takes a look at Madhouse's avant-garde movie about the underworld with a dub produced by Youtubers, plus a brand-new Shelf Obsessed submission and all this week's new anime releases!― By the time you read this, I'll probably be digging out from a foot or more of snow. I was totally planning on going outside and being productive over the weekend and definitely wasn't looking for an excuse to st...

The infamous Slayer's story extends beyond the anime in these two action-packed volumes. How will these new challenges affect these unconventional adventurers?― While the story arcs covered by the 2018 anime adaptation begin the work of showing how Goblin Slayer's new party helps him recover some of his lost humanity, the events of volumes five and six really kick that job into high gear. What's als...

As it turns out, "you've been transported to another world!" has been a storytelling device since the dawn of time. Mike takes a fascinating trip through the history of the genre.― Just a couple of weeks ago, I saw a remarkable animated film about the chronicles of a troubled man with a life full of problems, who's whisked away from the world he knows to a new and different parallel universe—one whe...

This fantasy adventure indulges some familiar tropes but strays just far enough from the beaten path to keep things interesting. Rebecca Silverman dives in.― Cross Infinite World tends to focus more on light novel translations, but the few manga titles they've also licensed are interesting. Tia la Cherla is a straight fantasy (as opposed to the historical fantasy, isekai, and urban fantasy of their ...

A young woman gets spirited away to a world of ayakashi and discovers new passions in this charming romance manga. Rebecca Silverman has the details.― Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits' first volume and its 2018 anime are both adaptations of author Midori Yuma's original light novel, and as such, this book brings something a little different to the table than the anime. That said, even if you ne...

Shoji Kawamori's latest fantasy mech adventure has finally come to an end on Netflix, leaving lots of crazy questions in its wake. Nick and Micchy share what they loved about the show and what left them scratching their heads.― Shoji Kawamori's Last Hope has finally come to an end on Netflix, leaving lots of crazy questions in its wake. This week, Nick and Micchy share what they loved about the sho...

Lauren Orsini takes an in-depth look at this Perfect Grade model kit to determine if this beloved release is a good choice for newcoming or veteran Gundam builders.― Gundam Astray Red Frame has its origins in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray. Published by Tokyopop, this manga has been out of print in the US since 2004. Nevertheless, its lead mobile suit's samurai-inspired design has captiva...